Billy E. Black

MECHANICSBURG – Billy E. Black, 91 of Mechanicsburg, passed away, Monday, April 10, 2023, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born March 17, 1932, in Urbana, Ohio the son of Guy and Alma (McDaniel) Black. He was a 1951 graduate of Cable High School, the last graduating class of Cable. Billy married the love of his life Carole Steinberger on June 15, 1951. He grew up living in Cable on Black Road, starting farming with his family at a young age. He was a lifelong farmer, and in 1974, he bought the family farm where he, his kids and grandkids still farm today.

When he wasn't farming, he loved being at his grandkids' sporting events as well as spending time with his family at Indian Lake. Billy was an avid fisherman with some of his closest friends. He loved getting breakfast with his friends and family at Rock 'n Robin.

Billy was a lifelong fair-goer and supporter of the Champaign County Fair. In his younger years he raced horses bareback and pulled tractors. Throughout his life he supported and helped his kids and grandkids with livestock projects at the fair. Later in life he was always checking in on his family, during planting season and harvest you could find him driving from field to field, supervising and making sure everything was going smoothly. Most of all he will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather.

He is survived by his daughter, Vicky L. Love of Urbana; sons, Billy Jr. (Sandy) Black of Urbana, Ted (Kelli) Black and Paul (Chris) Black, both of Mechanicsburg; grandchildren, Kerri L. Ritchie, Eli, Courtney, Denver, Dalton (Jessica) Black and Austin (Sophie) Black; great-grandchildren Madelyn, Makayla, Owen, Reagan, and Rory Black and Shelby Ritchie and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 60 years, Carole L. Black; siblings Vernon (Oralee) Black, Curt (Thelma) Black, Jim (Eleanor) Black, Richard (Betty) Black, Earl (Bessie) Black, Jean (Joe) Buroker, Becky Zoll, Shirlene Hess and Eva (Kenny) Zoll.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday April 13, 2023 in the SKILLMAN, MCDONALD & VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Mechanicsburg.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday April 14, 2023, in the funeral home with Jim Mayo officiating.

Burial will follow in Kings Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne Township Park Committee, Attn: Cable Ballpark, P.O. Box 45, Cable, Ohio 43009, or the Cancer Association of Champaign County, PO Box 38125 Urbana, Ohio, 43078.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.